Poliomyelitis (polio) is an infectious viral disease that is characterized by the destruction of motor neurons which results in temporary or permanent paralysis of a group of muscles. The virus mainly affects children under the age of 5 and in the 1950s the world experienced various tragic polio epidemics which took the lives of millions of people. According to the World Health Organization, “polio does still exist, although polio cases have decreased by over 99% since 1988”. Within the last 6 months, concern remains among immunologists, doctors, and scientists because countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, and the Philippines are still seeing new cases of polio weekly (polioeradication.org). Two polio vaccines are commonly used throughout the world to protect against poliomyelitis. The first was developed by Jonas Salk in 1952 and the second was an oral vaccine developed by Albert Sabin in 1961.

The human microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms and bacteria cells that play a vital role in the maintenance of our health. To this day, scientists are still discovering specific aspects of our microbiota and the effects that certain microorganisms have on our body systems. Normal microbiota plays a large role in disease prevention, food degradation, and immune system development. Studies showed that there are probably around 1,000-1,150 bacteria existing in the human colon. Of these 1,000 bacteria cells, most of the microbiome show a favorable symbiotic relationship with the host. However, when imbalances occur in our bodies causing the microbiome composition and function to be perturbed, it will be increasingly linked to various conditions and diseases including cancers, obesity, metabolic diseases, diabetes, allergies, depression, and disorders in the immune system.

Another interesting study focuses on the oral microbiome of early stage Parkinson’s disease and its relationship with functional measures of motor and non-motor function. The causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are still heavily under scientific speculation and as of 2020, some scientists are theorizing that human oral microbiota may play a role in nerve damage that occurs in prodromal phases of PD. Imbalances in oral microbiota are now thought to precede the motor impairment that occurs in Parkinson’s disease. I’ll say it one more time, research into specific microbiota and it’s disease causing capabilities are still very fresh in the science world. I’m excited to see the progression of human microbiome research throughout my life and hopefully one day we can all witness new treatments and causes of disease that are targeted to our natural microbiota.

The flu virus and I have some complicated history.

The 2019-2020 flu season is among us and it is coming in hot. Influenza is an acute respiratory illness transmitted by the influenza virus. There are four types of flu viruses but Influenza A and influenza B take up a majority of clinically significant influenza infections. Influenza virus is spread from person to person by the inhalation of respiratory secretions from someone who has the disease or by fomites. The incubation period is relatively short spanning from about one to four days and initial symptoms include high fevers, intense myalgias, headaches, and anorexia. Other symptoms may arise throughout the course of infection but all clinical signs and symptoms of influenza should subside after about one to two weeks. As seen with all viral infections, antibiotic treatment is not effective in eradicating the influenza infection but vaccination is used to prevent the spread and infection of this virus.

Since antibiotic therapy remains unavailable for influenza, vaccination is the cornerstone for primary prevention of the flu. Every year, new strains of the virus develop so scientists reformulate vaccines annually to match the circulating strains. Elizabeth Frentzel and her colleagues discuss yearly influenza prevention and vaccination rates and efficacy. Frentzel and her teammates found that “the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine varies widely from 19% to 60% over the past 10 years”. There are currently three types of influenza vaccines available in the United States but for the 2019-2020 flu season, trivalent and quadrivalent vaccines will be available. More specific data will become available regarding vaccine effectiveness as the flu season comes to a close but for now, let’s just stay healthy

Some Tips:
– Avoid close contact
– Stay home when you are sick
– Cover your mouth and nose
– Clean your hands
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
– Practice other good health habits

In 1998, Dr. Andrew Wakefield published a paper in The Lancet, a highly regarded British medicinal journal, claiming an association between the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. The paper was “scientific garbage“. Dr. Wakefield’s study is covered in flaws, and to begin, his sample size was 12 individuals (11 of which were boys). His sample had apparently lived a relatively normal young life until they were met with some clinical and social deficiencies. The 12 individuals had lost communication skills and were experiencing some gastrointestinal problems like pain diarrhea and bloating. According to Brett Bricker and Jacob Justice, “the British Medical Journal published a special series on Wakefield’s findings, noting that 3 of the 9 children reported with regressive autism were not officially diagnosed, 5 children had preexisting conditions that were ignored by Wakefield, and patients were recruited through anti-MMR campaigners”. This fact alone absolutely ruins the validity of Dr. Wakefield’s study.

Other independent scientists conducted research and almost every individual was in disagreement with his association between vaccines and autism. Interestingly enough, there have been strong claims that Dr. Wakefield had immense financial motivation for the publishing of this work. For some, he is claimed to be a “scientific hero” (and by some I mean those involved in the anti-vaccination movement). In my opinion, this work should not have been published to begin with. In regards to herd immunity and infection rates, this claim made by Dr. Wakefield could eventually impact everyone in the world (can’t ignore the fact that someone at UNC currently has Mumps). After his findings were refuted by hundreds of scientists and doctors, it is hard for me to understand why some people still choose to not vaccinate their children, but maybe I’m missing something.

Much has happened in response to Dr. Wakefield’s “findings”, and this includes the number of Measles, Mumps, and Varicella infections and vaccinations around the world. Hundreds of thousands of children remain at risk for these illnesses due to the simple fact that their parents chose to not vaccinate them. Vaccination rates in the United Kingdom have recouped somewhat from their 80% low in 2003, but they are still beneath the 95% level suggested by the World Health Organization to guarantee herd immunity. For the first time in 14 years, in 2008 measles was declared endemic in England and Wales. These effects are not only being seen in the United Kingdom, after the publishing of Dr. Wakefield’s article in 1998, the entire world has seen and experienced the consequences of not receiving the MMR vaccine. In conclusion, Wakefield’s article linking MMR vaccine and autism was fraudulent. His findings were not backed with accurate or significant evidence and it seems that his motivations for his work were completely wrong.

Hello! My name is Lauren and I’m a junior studying Psychology and Biology. I grew up in Charlotte, NC with my mom, dad, stepdad, and younger brother. Quick side note, my brother (14 years old) has grown 8 inches within the last 5 months so I’m terrified of him and puberty. I love my family, friends, and my dogs of course. My golden retriever, Easton, is 2 years old and although my mom isn’t aware of it yet, I plan on abducting Easton from Charlotte and keeping him with me when I graduate from PA school. My time here at Carolina is something that has changed my life forever and I am in disbelief that I only have 3 semesters left.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.